Netflix’s ‘The Adventures of Puss in Boots’ Series to Premiere This Month

Netflix has proven itself to be a formidable force since launching its first slate of original series two years ago, but now with its flag securely planted in the world of scripted drama and comedy, the SVOD service has its eyes set on a new genre: children’s programming. And now, the latest of its efforts, The Adventures of Puss in Boots, has a premiere date.

Netflix announced today the first five episodes of the new Shrek TV show spin-off will premiere on January 16th, 2015, in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, UK, Ireland, the Nordics, Benelux and France. Additional episodes are slated to be released throughout the course of 2015.

Variety has provided the following synopsis for the Puss in Boots TV series:

The feline [travels to] the hidden city of San Lorenzo, a mythical land invisible to the outside world thanks to a magical spell the protects its inhabitants, and its wondrous treasure. When Puss in Boots accidentally breaks the spell, he must do more than fight off an endless legion of invaders and marauders – he must become a legend.

There’s a lot of Emmy acclaim to be had for Netflix by producing its own slate of original sitcoms and dramas, but there’s a heaping pile of profit to be had from an original slate of children’s programming. To be exact, there’s a high likelihood that members of a younger demographic will hear about Puss in Boots or The Magic School Bus reboot or TURBO: Fast and beg their parents to sign up for Netflix if they haven’t already.

The ‘DreamWorks Dragons’ series is also on Netflix

Adventures of Puss in Boots is another example of Netflix’s atypical style of long-term thinking, when it comes to how they do television. Locking in the younger demographic with quality programs they want to see now almost certainly guarantees Netflix a percentage of that same group in 7-10 year, when it grows up and has disposable income of its own to spend on a new slate of subscriptions. This, in turn, allows the cycle to continue into more high-class, adult fare such as Orange is the New Black and House of Cards.

There are few television based companies as forward thinking as Netflix; and while a Puss in Boots TV series may sound like a quick cash-grab, just remember what its ultimate goal most likely is: a quick way for Netflix to fund more of the series we want to see.

The Adventures of Puss in Boots premieres January 16th, 2015 on Netflix.